Ford overhauls crossovers, adds hybrids

After revealing plans to discontinue traditional sedans in North America, Ford has tied its future to pickups and utility vehicles. And while 2018 was the year to showcase its extremes — the launch of the EcoSport subcompact crossover and redesign of the hulking Expedition SUV — 2019 and 2020 will focus on the heart of Ford's crossover and SUV lineup, with plans to freshen the Edge, redesign the Escape and Explorer, and launch two off-road utilities. Each vehicle will receive a hybrid option as Ford looks to make good on its promise to invest $11 billion in electrified vehicles by 2022. Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's product development and purchasing boss, this month said the Ford brand's portfolio will grow to 23 vehicles over the next five years, from 20 today.

Fiesta: Ford's littlest car is not long for the U.S. Production of the subcompact sedan ends in May. Any chance the Fiesta had at sticking around evaporated once the EcoSport hit U.S. shores. Ford hopes its entry-level car buyers will transition to that vehicle.

Focus: U.S. production of the compact sedan ended this year so Ford could retool its Michigan Assembly Plant to build pickups and SUVs. The nameplate will live on in the U.S. with the Focus Active wagon that will be imported from China starting in the second half of 2019.

Fusion: Ford nixed the next-generation midsize sedan, planned for 2020, this year. It said production of the nameplate would end in the next few years, but after backlash from dealers, reports surfaced that Ford would offer a wagon version to compete with entries from the likes of Subaru. The wagon version of the Fusion is expected in 2022.

Taurus: U.S. production of the large sedan is ending — again — but this time, Alan Mulally isn't walking through the door to save it. Ford will stop building the venerable nameplate at its Chicago Assembly Plant in March as it makes room for more crossover output.

Mustang: It's been the most popular sports car for the past three years as Ford has rolled out new colors and special editions such as the Bullitt. Ford will introduce the Mustang Shelby GT500 next year, and a Mustang hybrid is coming in 2020 with increased power and more low-end torque. The next-generation pony car is expected in 2021.

GT: Ford has said the $450,000 supercar will continue production through the 2020 model year, although delays from Multimatic Motorsports could mean that the Canadian company will be building GTs past that date.

EcoSport: The India-built crossover will become the Blue Oval's entry-level vehicle. Its U.S. sales have steadily risen since imports started in early 2018. The EcoSport was in the middle of its life cycle when Ford brought it stateside, so a redesign coming in 2021 will be the first specifically with U.S. consumers in mind.

C-segment off-road crossover: Ford executives have vowed to introduce "authentic off-roaders" to better compete with brands such as Jeep, and this vehicle, slotting between the EcoSport and Escape, will be one of them. It's slated to debut in 2020 and, although Ford has not decided on a name, the company could revive the Maverick moniker, which it trademarked this year. A recent company presentation showed it as being built on Ford's new modular front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive unibody platform along with the Escape, Focus and Transit Connect.

Crossover EV: Ford plans a "Mustang-inspired," long-range battery-electric crossover. The crossover, which comes out in 2020, was tentatively named the Mach 1 this year, but the name is likely to change. Production was originally slated for Flat Rock, Mich., but Ford this year decided on Mexico instead.

Escape: The company's best-selling nameplate after the F series gets a redesign that will debut in the second half of 2019. A plug-in hybrid variant is expected at the same time. Expect a more refined look to differentiate the Escape from Ford's off-road offerings. The vehicle will also be slightly larger than the current version, with more interior legroom.

Bronco: The long-anticipated revival of the Bronco nameplate happens in 2020. The Jeep Wrangler fighter will be built in Ford's retooled Michigan Assembly Plant and use the automaker's 10-speed transmission. A hybrid variant also will be introduced in 2020. Executives have been mum on design or powertrain details, except to say that it will be a true off-roader.

Edge: Ford is freshening its midsize crossover this year with slight cosmetic changes and a new ST performance trim. The base model gets a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine paired with a new eight-speed transmission that produces 250 hp, five more than the current version, and 275 pound-feet of torque. The ST variant will be powered by a specially tuned 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that Ford says is the most powerful in the segment, generating 335 hp and 380 pound-feet of torque. It's due for a redesign — and a hybrid variant — in 2022.

Explorer: Ford freshened its large crossover for the 2018 model year with a new grille and updated technology. The next-generation Explorer will debut in the first half of 2019 and switch to a new rear-wheel-drive platform. The Explorer will have a hybrid variant, although it won't be a plug-in like its Lincoln Aviator counterpart. Ford also will introduce an Explorer ST performance variant, likely replacing the Sport trim.

Flex: Ford's large crossover has an intense fan base — but that's not enough to save it. Representatives with Unifor, the Canadian auto workers union, divulged after contract talks a few years ago that Ford would discontinue the vehicle around 2020.

Expedition: Ford's biggest family hauler received its first redesign in nearly 20 years for the 2018 model year. A switch to aluminum reduced weight by about 300 pounds. Expect a freshening in 2021, which will include a hybrid variant.

Autonomous vehicle: Ford plans to introduce a self-driving vehicle for commercial use in 2021. Although the automaker has tested its autonomous technology mainly on the Fusion sedan, its first self-driving vehicle is likely to be a Transit Connect, or similar vanlike vehicle, to help carry food, packages and other goods.

Compact pickup: Ford may add a compact pickup to its U.S. lineup in 2022. Automobile magazine reported this year that the automaker was planning a vehicle smaller than the midsize Ranger coming next year but bigger than the Fiesta-based Courier subcompact pickup Ford used to sell in Brazil.

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Ford's Ranger arrives in '19.

Ranger: The revived Ranger hits showrooms early next year. The midsize pickup, built at the Michigan Assembly Plant, will come with only one engine: a 2.3-liter, EcoBoost mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It will have three trim levels: XL, XLT and Lariat. Ford will offer two-door SuperCab and four-door SuperCrew configurations and have four- and two-wheel drive for each configuration. A Raptor performance variant is expected in the coming years.

F-150: Ford's profit machine keeps rolling along. Despite redesigned pickups from its top rivals, the F series is poised for a record sales year in 2018. Ford freshened the F-150 this year and added a diesel variant. The next-generation F-150 will appear in 2020. It will include a hybrid model that Ford says can double as a mobile power generator.

Super Duty: Since the Super Duty switched to an aluminum body in 2016, sales have soared. Ford will freshen it in late 2019. Likely updates include a new engine that helps improve performance.

Transit Connect: Ford freshened the small van this year, adding a 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel engine to the cargo van and wagon body styles. Ford owned a 44.8 percent share of the small-van segment in 2017 and hopes to grow that number by targeting active baby boomers who might be unable to afford a traditional minivan or large crossover. The Transit Connect will be redesigned in 2021 and is expected to be used as Ford's commercial autonomous vehicle.

Transit: The large van will get a freshening in the first half of 2019, likely adding an awd option for better handling. It will be built on Ford's dedicated commercial van unibody platform.